AGM 2022 Report

It was great to see democracy in action on Friday night at Creasey Park where the owners of Dunstable Town FC Ltd assembled for the Club’s first AGM as a Community Benefit Society with many more joining via zoom. 16,986 km away in Sydney Australia and at 4 am local time, father and son, John & Matt logged into the zoom to participate in the meeting. Both gents proudly wearing their DTFC replica shirts. Almost on our doorstep given the huge distances involved, at 2 pm local time, Jeffrey logged in from Halifax, Nova Scotia. A small matter of only 4,583 km separating the two towns. Such was the quality of Brad’s handiwork that Jeffrey said that he felt as if he was there in the room with us. In all, over half of the Club’s 105 owners participated in the voting in of six directors to the Club’s board and deciding the price of Gold Owners’ packages for the coming season and the cost of season tickets. The following directors, who in line with company rules, had stepped down were re-elected, Gary Levy, Matt Carrington & Andrew Madaras. The following were elected as directors, Peter Bottom, Kristy Lewington & Dan Roberts. Dan will head up the Club’s commitment to combat climate change and other related projects through Pledgeball. Kristy will champion issues around diversity and inclusion and liaise with Fans for Diversity while Peter takes on the responsibility for growing supporter’s networks at home and abroad. Owners voted to increase the cost of the Gold Owners’ package to £125/annum, commencing 8th July 2022. Owners voted to increase the cost of Season Tickets to £95. In the Chairman’s Report, Andrew concentrated on the Club’s community partnerships and activities that it now runs, independently and in partnership with other organisations. He stressed the need to assertively promote these activities for the Club to become identified as a social enterprise and not just a football club. We want to be known as the club that Improves the Lives of Others. On the football side, he promised a challenge for honours this season but to remain committed to the ethos of Community/Fan owned clubs and treat both sides of the Club with equal importance and weighting. He paid particular thanks to Richard Irving (FSA) Stuart Fuller (Lewes FC) Ralph Burditt (AFC Rushden & Diamonds) James Slack (Creasey Park Facility Manager), Martin Foster (GMB Beds County Branch) Rupert Groves (Owner & Sponsor) and Mark Page (Owner & Sponsor) for their support in the past year. Matt presented the accounts and gave a rundown of income and expenditure. He committed to running the Club’s finances in a sustainable manner which would ensure the long-term existence of the Club for future generations of fans. Matt committed that all the Club’s community groups and activities, including both Walking Football groups, Sphere at The Glider and Chums and Crumbs would remain free to join and free to participate in. Matt thanked owners for meeting the cost of running these activities from their ownership payments. Questions from the floor included Neil updating owners with the portacabin which will serve as the Club’s CBS HQ and enable greater community inclusion and activities, a First team update and the possible phasing out of season tickets. Abby Slough was thanked for her service as Director of Marketing and Brad Cawthorne for arranging and managing the whole event. The meeting opened at 1910 hrs and closed at 2015 hrs. Thank you to all owners who participated in the AGM and to all owners for their support this year. Without you, none of this would be possible.